| Lucas Skoczkowski has done what few people have had the opportunity to do: shake hands with Nobel prize winners. "We discussed everyday things," he reports, "as well as how people view science and where science might go in the future." Skoczkowski is a second year student in electrical engineering, and was one of 30 undergraduate and graduate students from 16 countries selected to attend the recent Nobel Prize ceremonies and the International Youth Science Seminar in Stockholm in December. The week-long symposium was organized by FUF (a Swedish youth organization run entirely by students), and aided by the Nobel Foundation. It is a program which brings together young people from all over the world with similar interests, contributing to international understanding and friendship, Skoczkowski says. To begin the week, the young scientists visited some of the greater institutions of higher learning in Sweden: The Royal Institute of Technology (KTH, known for its technical programs), the Karolinska Institute, Sweden's largest medical university, and the beautiful university of Uppsala. These institutions showed how Sweden emphasizes education and scientific development, Skoczkowski commented. The representatives also visited a museum that contained a miniature,man-made,indoor rain forest. The forest is self- cleaning, complete with fish and plant life, and requires two people to take care of it. Skoczkowski is trying to bring one to his home town of Ottawa. "People could really learn from something like that." At the Royal Institute of Science, situated close to the University of Stockholm, they listened to the Nobel Lectures in Physics and Chemistry. Russell A. Hulse, told a story of how as a graduate student, he discovered a new type of pulsar. Joseph H. Taylor Jr. lectured on his involvement and contribution to the discovery of the binary pulsar, which has opened up new possibilities for the study of gravitation. Dr. Kary B. Mullis talked about his personal experiences associated with his invention of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method for studying the DNA molecules of genetic mate rial. Canada's Dr. Michael Smith described his contribution to the establishment of oligonucleotide-based, site-directed mutagenesis and its development for protein studies. The laureates shared their experiences and knowledge, provid-ing first hand information on their discoveries. "We listened to the lectures, and I could understand what they meant. The speakers were able to explain complicated concepts in everyday terms." Skoczkowski is also trying to arrange a Waterloo exchange with the Royal Institute of Technology, an organization with 8,000 students, all engineers. He says he might go there this September. The week ended with the Nobel Prize Awards Ceremony, a formal dinner with entertainment (including the songs of Barbara Hendricks), and speeches from the laureates, followed by an evening of dancing and chatting with the honoured guests and their families. Skoczkowski learned a lot on the trip. "Dr. Kary B. Mullis told me that the secret of success is to think of what you're doing as fun, not work. That way you will do more. Besides, doing something for the sake of getting a reward is destined to fail." He also says a lot can be done by the individual. "It made me feel that what I was involved in was worth it. Being in engineering, it's a specialized applied science. But this encouraged me to be interested in the sci ence aspect more, and to want to do something to benefit society." He is definitely trying to become involved. In addition to having a small software consulting business, Skoczkowski is the advertising director for the Iron Warrior, spends time in the legal services centre in the Campus Centre, has been a mediator for four years, and is a member of the business club. "It was truly an amazing experience which had a positive impact on my life ," he says of his Nobel trip. "I would encourage anyone who is given such a privilege to expand their horizons. There are many opportunities out there, and if you work hard, you can do whatever you want." | |
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